I belong to only two forums. The other one is a forum about Honda Goldwing motorcycles. A bunch of really good people, mostly men, who share a common interest with me about a pretty benign subject.

A couple of weeks ago, the administrators posted a questionnaire asking how to improve the site. Yesterday, they posted information about the most common concerns.

The thing most commented on in the questionnaire apparently was bullying, confrontation, name calling, polarization and general all around sniping at each other. Some members said they were afraid to post for fear of reprisal. About motorcycles mind you!

Well, the thread in which the results were posted, now has over 122 posts and nearly 4,000 views. The thread is full of confrontation, borderline name calling, polarization and general all around sniping. For a while, I was afraid a hatchet fight was going to break out.

Can you imagine what it would be like if there was a political motorcycle forum?

I belong to a forum (powered by vBulletin just like TOTV) for enthusiasts of a certain make of car. They have a Political Debate forum, and it generally has the same confrontational tone that you mentioned about bikes in the Gold Wing forum. It must be the nature of the beast??

This was not the political debate forum. This is the general discussion board.

The other forum that I mentioned gets that way too on the general discussion threads. Someone with a different brand of car will disparage the car in question and then it starts.

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I belong to only two forums. The other one is a forum about Honda Goldwing motorcycles. A bunch of really good people, mostly men, who share a common interest with me about a pretty benign subject.

Can you imagine what it would be like if there was a political motorcycle forum?

Honda Goldwing?.....Honda Goldwing?.....you've got to be kidding. Everyone knows Harley's are the only way to go. Are you biased?.....how come you don't have a Harley forum? What are Harley people... dog food? Can you imagine "Easy Rider" riding a Honda?

Do you Honda guys wanna race? All right that's it......when do we schedule the first Villages Harley-Honda Showdown? LSL or SS?

I'll be back......I have to "google" support links for my argument.

Originally Posted by cabo35

[/I][/B]

Honda Goldwing?.....Honda Goldwing?.....you've got to be kidding. Everyone knows Harley's are the only way to go. Are you biased?.....how come you don't have a Harley forum? What are Harley people... dog food? Can you imagine "Easy Rider" riding a Honda?

Do you Honda guys wanna race? All right that's it......when do we schedule the first Villages Harley-Honda Showdown? LSL or SS?

I'll be back......I have to "google" support links for my argument.

Boomer

I second Boomer's bowdown. Too funny.

The view of the world is best from the seat of anything with two wheels and a decent engine.....

....and I traded in my Harley for a Yamaha......

Now if that doesn't start an argument, nothing will!

Originally Posted by SteveZ

The view of the world is best from the seat of anything with two wheels and a decent engine.....

....and I traded in my Harley for a Yamaha......

Now if that doesn't start an argument, nothing will!

What?!!!!!!



And you call yourself a good American!

Boomer

Originally Posted by Boomer

What?!!!!!!



And you call yourself a good American!

Boomer

The Yammie does get much better gas mileage. And I didn't even get a cash-for-clunker voucher!

Originally Posted by Boomer

What?!!!!!!



And you call yourself a good American!

Boomer

I can't say much on my behalf here, cause my one and only bike in my life was a Triumph Bonneville 750. English of course. Got rear ended buy a pickup truck when I was stopped at a red light. Sold the bike and took my future wife to Acapulco Mexico. Have had more fun with her than I would have ever had with the Triumph!

Originally Posted by SteveZ

The view of the world is best from the seat of anything with two wheels and a decent engine.....

....and I traded in my Harley for a Yamaha......

Now if that doesn't start an argument, nothing will!

OK - Which model? If you can drive it here from Maryland and back, it must be a good street bike.

Originally Posted by BBQMan

OK - Which model? If you can drive it here from Maryland and back, it must be a good street bike.

Actually, went to MD in 2004 with a Yamaha 650. Traded it in for a Harley Sportster 1200 in 2005. Rode that back to FL the end of last year, and traded it in for a Yamaha Majesty MaxiScooter 3 months ago.

The Yamaha gets 20 MPG better (about 65 MPG on 87 octane, while the Harley took 93 octane) than the Harley, is quieter, about 100 pounds lighter, has about 100 pounds greater payload, about 16 gallons of covered storage, and will top out at 105 MPH when riding single (which I do anyway). They are amazing bikes! http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...iew-86641.html

This bike epitomizes what's wrong with US car manufacturers as well as the bike builders. Why can't they make something this good? If they did, there'd be no need for any bailout or cash-for-clunker program.

Originally Posted by SteveZ

Actually, went to MD in 2004 with a Yamaha 650. Traded it in for a Harley Sportster 1200 in 2005. Rode that back to FL the end of last year, and traded it in for a Yamaha Majesty MaxiScooter 3 months ago.

The Yamaha gets 20 MPG better (about 65 MPG on 87 octane, while the Harley took 93 octane) than the Harley, is quieter, about 100 pounds lighter, has about 100 pounds greater payload, about 16 gallons of covered storage, and will top out at 105 MPH when riding single (which I do anyway). They are amazing bikes! http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...iew-86641.html.

I can't picture Mickey Rourke riding through the desert with Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" as the soundtrack on any bike but a Harley. Would the movie have survived if it was titled "Yamaha and the Marlboro Man" instead of "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man".

When I bought my Harley Road King Classic, I told the dealer to take the stock pipes off and make it sound like a 1957 Harley. The Thundercones did the trick. Why would I want it to be quieter? I get a kick out of setting my neighbors car alarms off as I rumble by.

Admit it Steve, deep down, your still a Harley guy and I bet you give the secret Harley wave when you pass one on your Yamaha. Do Harley guys drink Margaritas? We'll have to find out when I get back from fishing.

It looks like we'll have to rename the motorcycle rumble at the town square The Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Triumph Showdown.

Have a great, safe ride in The Villages.

Originally Posted by cabo35

[/I][/B]

Honda Goldwing?.....Honda Goldwing?.....you've got to be kidding. Everyone knows Harley's are the only way to go. Are you biased?.....how come you don't have a Harley forum? What are Harley people... dog food? Can you imagine "Easy Rider" riding a Honda?

Do you Honda guys wanna race? All right that's it......when do we schedule the first Villages Harley-Honda Showdown? LSL or SS?

I'll be back......I have to "google" support links for my argument.

Good one Cabo...